Google has added a new experimental feature to Labs that allows Gmail users to send SMS text messages to their contacts through their chat interface. The new feature has been rolled out with support for U.S. mobile numbers, and includes a few features to help recipients of Google SMS messages from running up their phone bill.
Since text messaging through Google is currently experimental, it must be enabled through “Labs” before being used. Log into Gmail, go to “Settings”, click on the “Labs” tab, choose “Enable” next to “Text Messaging (SMS) in Chat” and press the “Save” button at the bottom of the page.
Once SMS in Chat is set up you can either start a chat directly with a mobile phone number, or add your friends’ mobile numbers to your list of contacts. To start a chat directly with a mobile number, just type it into the search box under “Chat” in the Gmail sidebar.
Anyone without an unlimited text messaging plan will probably be charged by their mobile carrier for receiving your messages, so Google has built in a few warnings to help people from letting their monthly bill get out of control. The chat window in Gmail contains a warning that states the recipient may be charged for reading your messages. Recipients can temporarily stop a conversation, or permanently block a sender.
